Topic 1.11.1 Small Talk
SMALL TALK
1.Warm up
- What is small talk?
- Where do people use small talk? (e.g., work, shops, meetings)
- Why is small talk important?
- Do you like small talk? Why or why not?
- What do you say when you meet someone new?
- What do you say in an elevator with a co-worker?
- What small talk do you use at work?
- What topics are good for small talk? (e.g., weather, sports)
- What topics are bad for small talk? (e.g., money, politics)
2A.How to start a conversation
It is normal to start a conversation with a statement.
2C.In pairs, practise the mini conversations from Ex. 2A and 2B.
3.Small talk questions
We also start conversations with a question.
4A. What’s it like?
Look at the dialogues below:
Sarah: Do you like Moscow at this time of year?
Dimitry: Well, it’s very cold. I prefer it in summer.
*Is “like” a verb or a preposition here?
Sarah: What’s Moscow like at this time of year?
Dimitry: Oh, it’s very cold.
*Is “like” a verb or a preposition here?
4B.Practice exercise
5.Choose one of the topics below and have a conversation with your partner.
- Your last holiday/vacation
- A business trip
- A conference
- Your hometown or country